No photographs of the deathly figure who ­menaced Manchester United boss David Moyes two weeks ago before the Scot was so brutally axed.

But City boss Manuel Pellegrini was ­haunted for too long by the spectre of failure against an Everton side which made a mockery of suggestions they would lay down and die to prevent bitter neighbours Liverpool winning the title.

Everton were ­magnificent – City ­mundane. Almost as if the demand of winning their remaining three games to become Kings of England was a burden too heavy to carry.

Sure, two goals from Edin Dzeko and an opener from Sergio Aguero earned City the three crucial points on a ground where they had won only once in 16 previous trips.

But despite their ­celebrations at the final ­whistle after six jittery added minutes, the victory was­ ­unconvincing to say the least.

Everton, with goals from the superb Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku, deserved more.

For Roberto Martinez the mission was simple: To bring down City to finish off the home campaign on an ­undisputed high.

But City were determined tograb all three points and Pellegrini went for broke with strikers Aguero and Dzeko forming a threat up front.

Everton posed the first threat seconds after the start when Steven Naismith, fed by Leighton Baines, flashed a shot wide of the target.